Trump hints at steel tariff announcement Thursday

WASHINGTON, March 8 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump hinted Thursday that he would announce new tariffs on steel and aluminum later in the day.

He tweeted that he looks forward to a 3:30 p.m. meeting at the White House, which was not on the president's official schedule.

"We have to protect and build our Steel and Aluminum Industries while at the same time showing great flexibility and cooperation toward those that are real friends and treat us fairly on both trade and the military," Trump wrote.

South Korea is among the countries that have been bracing for the announcement since Trump said last week he would impose a 25 percent tariff on imports of steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports.

South Korea was the third largest exporter of steel products to the U.S. last year, after Canada and Brazil.

The White House said Wednesday the administration could make exemptions for Mexico and Canada, leaving open the possibility of further exemptions for other countries.